It was late at night when Manid and the caravan returned.
The stars are bright and the moon is bright.
As the distance got closer to the fortress, smiles appeared on their faces.
I'm going home.
But the guards in charge of night duty in the "Drehem" fortress didn't have the slightest smile on their faces.
The Vekia archers stationed at the top of the arrow tower, with the wide field of vision brought by the height, have already found the black spot that is approaching rapidly in the hazy night in the distance at the end of their sight.
They are all experienced veterans, excellent archers who have come out of the chaotic war.
Be vigilant.
What's more, when they came to this world, Knight Fatis had already reminded them that Lord Kant had many enemies, and no one could be trusted except the six kingdoms from Calradia.
This is still considering what these Vikirians and Salanders said.
Fatis told the Swadians, but no one could believe it except the Swadians.
But these Vikia archers with good eyes have already sensed that the stranger is approaching.
Give quick notice.
In the desert bandit camp, 10 elite desert bandits came out in full armor, led their desert horses in the stable, and quickly rushed out of the east gate that was slowly opened for them.
As light cavalry on duty at night, after they got the news, they had to go to investigate.
If you are a friend, then greet him first.
If it is an enemy, then they will use the speed of the light cavalry to go around in circles with them in the desert.
Those who came from the Sarande Desert had similar experiences.
And 10 Swadian infantry and 20 Swadian light infantry have also appeared behind the city gate. If anything happens, they will take the lead in defending the city gate and persist until the reinforcements arrive.
In order to deal with the gray mane kingdom's expeditionary force that may appear at any time, the sentry oasis has made complete preparations.
But soon, their vigilant appearance became milder.
The archers on the arrow tower have received news that the visitor is a friend.
Because behind the sand dunes not far away, the 10 elite desert robbers who went to investigate were following behind those people, like loyal guards, their attitude was not only friendly, but also quite modest.
The Vegia archers were thoughtful.
Especially looking at the three carriages full of goods, they all understood.
This strange team that arrived in the middle of the night was actually the caravan that they set off when they first arrived at the "Drehem" fortress. Ned.
The city gate made of thick wooden boards was slowly opened.
The Swadian infantry and light infantry stood upright on both sides, full of energy, without any sleepiness in the middle of the night.
Manid rode in.
Behind them were 10 Sarande riders and 30 elite desert robbers.
And those 3 wagons full of goods.
"Manid, welcome back."
Having received the news, Fatis, who was resting and sleeping, got up immediately and rushed over on horseback.
Looking at the full load of goods and the tiredness on the faces of Manid and the cavalry, Fatis also nodded thoughtfully and said: "It's really a pleasure to see that you have returned safely, but I think what you need most is to return to the Rest in your own room."
"This is indeed what is most needed." Manid nodded with a wry smile.
From Sentinel Oasis to Stone Pass.
From the rocky pass to the sentry oasis.
It took 7 days to go back and forth, of which 5 days and 5 nights were spent trekking in the desert.
Even the strongest Sarande riders were worn out.
What's more, Manid, who was a businessman, was almost exhausted on the way back to the point of collapse.
"Food has been prepared." Looking at his exhausted appearance, Fatis said, "Eat something to replenish your strength. Lord Kant means that if there is no urgent matter, then report tomorrow."
"Thank you Lord Kant." Manid thanked gratefully.
Go back to the Consulate.
Chefs serve food to long tables.
Toasted fluffy bread coated with honey, and meat porridge made of chopped antelope meat and wheat grains stewed.
There are also dates that can quickly replenish physical strength, just like energy bars.
"Eat quickly, it's been a hard journey."
Kant sat in his seat and said to Manid beside the long table, "These are easy-to-digest foods. At noon the next day, I will hold a banquet here alone to welcome you back."
"I am very touched by your kindness, Mr. Kant." Manid stood up, respectfully stroked his chest and bent down to salute.
"You're welcome." Kant nodded with a smile: "Eat quickly."
Manid ate with a big mouthful. He was hungry, and he didn't have the usual etiquette that he would pay attention to carefully.
After a hard journey, anyone can endure the tempting food.
At least Manid couldn't stand it.
Fatis walked in from outside the door and saw Manid eating bread and drinking meat porridge. He smiled slightly. The two had known each other for a long time, but they had never seen this proud and well-educated Nuo De genius businessman, swallowing food so impolitely.
This is the first time.
There was a smile on the corner of Fatis' mouth, knowing that his friend was really tired and hungry.
Instead of laughing at him, he reported sternly to Kang Dehui: "My lord, the food and beds of the cavalry have been prepared, and they have been excluded from the patrol mission tomorrow morning. I will give them a day off."
"It should be." Kant nodded.
Manid ate quickly.
In the supper prepared in the kitchen, there is not much honey bread.
On the contrary, a pot full of meat porridge was boiled, and Manid ate three bowls in a row.
These boiled and smashed wheat grains, plus chopped antelope meat, mixed with shredded cabbage and flour, make the meat porridge very thick and easy to digest. It is the best choice for returning from a long journey.
The cavalry outside eat the same.
After drinking the meat porridge, the body warmed up and dispelled the cold night.
After supper.
Manid's stomach was slightly distended.
If he didn't know that it's not easy to eat too much after a long journey, Manid would have three more bowls of meat porridge.
"have a rest."
Seeing that he had finished eating, Kant nodded and said, "Let's have lunch together at noon tomorrow."
"My honor." Manid and Fatis nodded respectfully.
This is of course Kant's arrangement for the two.
After all, it was late at night, and Manid rushed all the way back, and his mental and physical strength had long been exhausted.
Take a good rest first, and wait until tomorrow when you report to be full of energy. On the contrary, there will be no omissions in details.
Kant returned to his room on the third floor.
The rooms of Fatis and Manid are on the second floor.
The tranquility of the night was restored outside the governing hall. Except for the night guards and the two teams of light infantry patrolling the fort, the entire "Drehem" fortress was extremely quiet.
The night is getting darker, and it has completely entered the night.
Grunting came from residential areas and city walls.
All slept soundly.
time passed.
The sentry post on the arrow tower was also replaced twice, until the deepest night, the eastern horizon revealed a bit of light.
It was almost daylight.
At the fence of the wheat field on the north side of the city wall, there was a little noise from the five chicken coops.
The sand grouse inside seems to have sensed something.
When a ray of light pierced the dawn, almost in no particular order, 5 male sand grouse with crowns appeared on the roof, fluttering their wings, stretching their vigorous bodies, raising their necks, and croaking like domestic chickens .
"cluck-"
The rooster crows.
That ray of light finally pierced the dense darkness and brought the message of dawn.
The sky quickly became brighter in the shortest possible time.
"Boom-boom-boom-"
The bronze bell was rang, and it made a pleasant and long bell.
The bell tower, which is about to be completed, had the bronze bell installed yesterday, and it was rang by the construction workers who woke up in the morning. The long bell followed the crowing of the rooster, signaling the arrival of a new day.
In residential areas, farmers and peasant women opened doors and windows.
The sound of washing came.
Soon, they were all refreshed and walked out with clean faces.
A busy and fulfilling day has begun again.
In the reinforced attic of the city wall, the crossbowmen who had woken up all came out.
Now these attics around the city wall have basically become the places where archers sleep at night. They are wrapped in thick woolen blankets and linen mats are laid under their bodies. Even the cold night can't help them.
If there is an enemy invasion, all staff can set up a defense line at the fastest speed.
certainly.
The infantry and cavalry still slept in tents and bunkers.
The 3-meter-wide city wall is not enough for too many soldiers to sleep on it. If they are really crowded in these attics, it is estimated that if the enemy really invades, they will get in the way and cause some small troubles.
For the sake of safety, it doesn't matter much to temporarily sleep in the sandpit before the military camp is established.
As busy as ever.
Soldiers patrolled, or went out to investigate, or honed their martial arts skills on the training ground.
Farmers continue to tend wheat fields and date palm groves.
And feeding the sand grouse with grain, so that these little cuties can lay eggs as soon as possible.
Because just a few days ago, the peasant women discovered that these 50 sand grouse, like domesticated chickens, can produce more than 50 eggs every day, and they are fed with sufficient grains, and sometimes even have more than 60 eggs.
It really has economic value just like chickens.
It's as if these chickens are basically a hybrid of domestic chickens and sand grouse, inheriting all the advantages of both sides.
Curly blue smoke rises.
Everyone's breakfast is being prepared in the kitchen.
Plenty of bread and flour were gathered, as well as antelope meat, piles of sausages, and air-dried meat.
It is not so easy to make food for about 600 people.
PS: It's awesome to have an air conditioner, oh my god! Cool! This is the first update today, and the next update will be the third in the afternoon, and another update in the evening, and the fifth update will be done. It depends on my performance. That's all I'm saying, it's the air conditioner that gave me absolute support in my coding career! Please wait and see!
(end of this chapter)